Australia. Big. Beautiful. Diverse. From the First People to washing lines and crocodiles, football and sunshine, koalas and akubras, skyscrapers and beaches that squeak, this 96-page picture book is a glorious tribute to this wide brown land and its rich and varied multicultural communities. Vibrantly illustrated with watercolour, ink and mono-printing, Australia Illustrated not only celebrates the more ‘typical’ Australian flora, fauna and landmarks, it also showcases the everyday quirks and idiosyncrasies that make Australia unique: the many types of rain, Greek street food, Sydney ferries, cattle breeds, the plants of the Daintree. Even the quokka selfie epidemic is featured! (Visit http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150306-quokkas-selfies-animals-science-photography-australia/ or http://www.boredpanda.com/quokka-selfie-trend-cute-rodent-australia for more on this global phenomenon!) Divided into Australia-wide entries as well as state and territory specific elements, readers will learn more about the endemic plants, animals, foods, landmarks, sports and oddities that make the regions around Australia special. Whimsical, humorous, high in detail, and guaranteed to delight both children and adults, this is a portrait of Australia like you’ve never seen it before. Grab your snorkel. Let’s dive in!

Product description

Review

“Big, beautiful, and diverse” are the words McCartney uses to describe Australia, and they are the very words that could describe this book. It is big and it is fat (criteria important to some of our junior readers); it is beautiful with colour, iconic illustrations and few words; and it’s diverse with its focus on a range of topics that don’t usually feature in these sorts of texts. Each page is a vibrant explosion of colour and movement that celebrate our places and people in quirky ways." Source: The Bottom Shelf Published On: 2016-10-08

"Australia Illustrated is the kind of book I loved as a child. So many details to notice and enjoy. Each double page spread has so much to see and think about. The illustrations capture the imagination and present Australia as the diverse, interesting, quirky, and beautiful land we know it to be." Source: Kid's Book Review Published On: 2016-10-24

"with enough iconic charm to make both Banjo Paterson and Con the Fruiterer feel at home, her first self-illustrated picture book, Australia: Illustrated delivers a (very satisfying) slice of all things Aussie to an audience who might still remember what a frog cake is as well as those young enough to regard the Wheel of Brisbane as their first Ferris wheel ride." Source: Boomerang Books Blog Published On: 2016-10-24

"Rarely have I been so blown away by a book's design that I have actually stroked the pages - but I love Australia: Illustrated ... This should be under every Christmas Tree!" Source: New Idea

"a beautifully-drawn, 96-page exploration of our nation and the differences between cultures in each state and territory." Source: Sydney Morning Herald Published On: 2016-11-02

"Tania’s ‘Australia: Illustrated‘ is a visual tribute to Australia that will have children and adults mesmerised." Source: 5 Things I Know About

"A small slice of Australia but a very detailed and fascinating look at this unique country. Simple but so informative and such fun to dip into often, with quirky, delightful illustrations. Highly recommended." Source: Pinerolo

"the love for Australia beams out from every page." Source: My Book Corner

"Tania McCartney has created a book that inspires discussions in the readers – big and little. As you open to the first page you are met with words describing Australia – big, beautiful and diverse. I can tell you that this is a good description also of this book; it’s content and the beautiful illustrations." Source: Unity Words Published On: 2016-11-15

From the Inside Flap

Australia has mountains and beaches and an enormous amount of sky. It's surrounded by ocean and has coral and deserts and rainforests and wattle and koalas and gelato and ferries and honey bees and sports fanatics and beautiful stars that you can pluck from the sea and hold in your hand.

It also has cheese.

This is a small slice of Australia like you've never seen it before. Grab your snorkel ... Let's dive in!